Footage shows locals using their own generators as power outages across Myanmar have worsened due to crumbling infrastructure following the military coup.

Video recorded in Yangon on March 14 shows how residents are struggling to copes as major cities are burdened with an average of five hours a day outage due to insufficient power generation. Some rural areas suffer almost complete power blackout according to local sources.

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOOE) under the military government has blamed LNG fuel price hikes and ongoing repair works of some power lines from main hydropower plant as reasons for insufficient power supply.

The announcement from MOEE says the operation of gas power plants are currently stopped due to the recent LNG price hike and 3 main power lines from Lawpita hydropower plant destroyed by armed groups are under repair work.

However, locals blamed the 'grave mismanagement' from the military government led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. They said the 'unsightly scene' of shops using their generators in Yangon is a 'reflection of how the country has gone backwards in under a year'.

Myanmar is well known in the international business circle for its lack of infrastructure especially electricity and it has always been a major concern for potential investors. Though there was a significant improvement in the energy sector under the previous government, the situation collapsed following the military coup in February 2021.

Popular leader Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted and put under house arrest before being hauled to court on corruption charges. The trial is ongoing.